Otherwise, she would not only lose face but also likely suffer a merciless rejection. After all, how could Cline offend his friend for her sake? However... why was he looking at her with such a strange gaze? Could it be because he saw her being kissed by another man and felt displeased? As Luana was lost in her wild thoughts, Cline suddenly shifted his gaze, his indifferent expression as if it had just been a casual glance. Luana's heartstrings trembled. She knew that someone as cold and unemotional as Cline would not care whether she was kissed by others. She also shifted her gaze and focused on dealing with Travis. "Mr. Elan, why did you bring me here?" Travis affectionately pinched her cheek and laughed, "First, let's introduce you to some friends, and then we'll go have some real fun." Hearing this, Luana's face turned pale instantly, realizing she must find a way to escape as soon as possible. As she was racking her brain for a plan against Travis, he suddenly pushed her
The man's smile slightly eased Luana's guard. She reached out with a trembling hand to take the wine glass and took a small sip, but she still didn't dare to swallow the wine, just holding it in her mouth. The female companion sitting beside the man couldn't help but sneer at the scene. Her laughter was filled with mockery and disdain. "I must say, Mr. Elan, the women you bring around are getting more and more classless. Gehrmann is kind enough to pour her a drink, yet she's still on guard and won't drink it." Gehrmann was Cline's cousin. Gehrmann was also a playboy, but compared to Travis, he was far from being a pervert. Since Luana had been with Cline, she had never met any of his family or friends. This was her first time meeting Gehrmann. She couldn't help but take a few extra glances at him, noticing that he bore some resemblance to Cline, but his temperament was entirely different. He didn't have Cline's cold detachment but instead gave off a warm vibe. Seeing that Lua
Naomi would not let it go so easily. Although she used to be the top entertainer at Nightfall, now that she was with Gehrmann, she was particularly sensitive to others' words. She knew Travis was not someone to be trifled with, but dealing with his woman should be no problem. "Forget it, I won't hold it against you. We're here to have fun, after all," Naomi forced down her anger and then said, "But just sitting here is a bit boring. How about we play a game?" Hearing the mention of a game, the others immediately perked up and echoed, "What game should we play?" Naomi pulled out several decks of cards from the side and placed them on the table, smiling as she said, "Let's form teams and play cards. Whoever loses takes off a piece of clothing." "Interesting," Travis's eyes flickered with excitement at the idea. Naturally, he wouldn't refuse such a tantalizing and thrilling scene and immediately nodded in agreement. The other lecherous men were even more eager to start the game.
The sound made Luana extremely uncomfortable, feeling as if she was sitting on pins and needles. She looked down at her thin dress and groaned inwardly.According to the rules, losing a round meant she would have to strip completely, which was akin to being exposed for all to see.What difference was there between her and the women who sold their bodies for a living?She understood that Naomi was probably taking out her frustration on Luana because of Travis's earlier words. Unable to retaliate against Travis, she used the game as an excuse to vent her anger.Although Luana saw through the motive, the cards in her hand were terrible.Coupled with Gehrmann's seemingly deliberate poor play, she was sweating with anxiety.Today, Cline seemed to be acting out of character, showing no mercy at all.Every time she played a card, he seemed to deliberately target her.Luana was so angry her face turned b
At this moment, even Travis, the man who claimed her as his plus-one, was staring at her with anticipation.There was not a hint of concern in his eyes, only greed and desire.It was as if she was merely an object for display, a creature without dignity, being appraised and toyed with by these wealthy and powerful individuals who looked down on her.Her heart ached with struggle, fully aware of the difficult situation she was in.If she complied with their demands, they might, in a moment of whim, let her off the hook.But if she dared to resist, with the power and means these people possessed, they would not easily let her leave this room, and the fate that awaited her could be even worse.After much internal deliberation, Luana finally, reluctantly, unclenched her tightly clenched fists.A glimmer of determination and desolation shone in her eyes.Her life was already a living death. Perhaps
At that moment, Cline suddenly raised his well-defined hand and covered the mouth of the glass.His eyes were cold and indifferent as he stared intently at Luana's face, uttering a single word in a voice devoid of any warmth, "Dirty."This single word was like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Luana's heart.It caused her a sudden constriction in her chest. The pain was almost suffocating.Her hand couldn't help but tremble violently, her fingers turning pale from the force of gripping the wine bottle.She stood there rigidly, her eyes locked with Cline's.However, in his eyes, she saw not a trace of their past affection.The tenderness and attachment that once existed seemed to have never been, replaced now by deep contempt and disgust.She thought painfully to herself, did he think she was dirty because she was with Travis?How ridiculous!She had been with him for fi
As an Alpha, Cline's eyes radiated a coldness mixed with the unique oppressiveness of the wolf pack.That intangible force seemed to penetrate Luana's body, making it increasingly difficult for her to breathe.The surrounding air appeared to become heavy and oppressive due to his aura.Travis, witnessing this, was now certain that Cline was deliberately making things difficult for Luana.Yet, he couldn't fathom why Cline would target Luana in such a way.Did they have some unknown past?Did they know each other before?Hearing the words "pour on your knees," Luana's face was filled with shock and disbelief.'Pour wine while kneeling?' Although she had been his lover, she was by no means a humble servant to be commanded at his whim.Luana straightened her body once more, her eyes showing a hint of stubbornness and anger as she addressed Cline, "Mr. Moriarty, I don't know where I've offe
The scarlet red wine slowly trickled down her hair strands, dripping onto her pale face, sliding over her slender neck, and falling onto her thin dress...It wasn't until the last drop of wine fell onto the back of her hand that she slowly lifted her eyes.Her gaze was filled with shock and disbelief, staring straight at Cline.Cline, with his eyes as cold as frost, contemptuously glanced at her and coldly uttered a word, "Cheap."As an Alpha, his words seemed to carry the unique deterrent power, making the surrounding air seem to solidify.Upon hearing those words, Luana trembled uncontrollably.She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging deep into her palms, biting her lower lip, and stared at Cline without blinking.It was as if she wanted to bore a hole through him with her gaze, her anger and humiliation surging like a tidal wave.Cline, however, paid no attention to her reaction
"Clarissa..." Albert wept and pleaded, "My mom has cancer, I got fired from my job, and the baby still needs milk. For the sake of our years together, treat me like a beggar and spare me a little help.""If you were truly a beggar, I'd give you some money to send you on your way, but you're not..."A clear voice cut through the air, tinged with exhaustion, coldness, and a hint of ruthlessness. "You're nothing but scum!""Clarissa!""Gag him and get him out of my sight!"At the command, the bodyguards immediately seized Albert and shoved him into the elevator."Humph, this despicable man!"Luana followed the voice and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the bar.The woman had a slender figure, waist-length curly hair, and fair, slender fingers holding a slender cigarette, while her other hand toyed with a wine glass.She tilted her head, staring into the red wine in her glass, as if observing another world from afar
Upon learning of this possibility, Cline simply said, "Thank you," and hung up the phone.He gazed once more in the direction the black luxury car had vanished, now more certain than ever that Dorian had taken his Luana.However, he refused to believe they were husband and wife.Russell arrived with the bodyguards in a hurry, seeing Cline standing in front of the smashed Bugatti.Thinking Cline's car had been in an accident, he quickly approached."Mr. Moriarty, are you alright? Did you take too much sleeping pill and start hallucinating again?"For the past three years, Cline had been plagued by insomnia, clutching two mementos of Luana and struggling to sleep through the night.Russell, worried about his health, had obtained some sleeping pills from Eva.Little did he know, Cline had become addicted to them. Later, Russell found out that the medication could induce hallucinations when taken in excess.It was these hall
Cline's brow twitched, his eyes filled with disdain as he regarded Dorian.He strode quickly to Luana, extending his hand with an unyielding tone, "Come with me."Before Luana could refuse, Dorian swiftly acted, his long arm encircling her shoulder and pulling her tightly into his embrace. A provocative smile played on his lips as he challenged, "On what grounds?"Cline's vision sharpened with pain, witnessing Luana clinging to Dorian, their bodies pressed close. A surge of rage erupted within him."Because I love her!"Cline's voice trembled yet rang out loud and clear, eight years of pent-up emotions bursting forth like a flood breaking its dam.Dorian, noticing the bloodshot eyes and the fervor in Cline's gaze, felt a flicker of realization. He glanced down at Luana in his arms.Her expression was calm, a faint smile curling her lips as if she had just heard an absurd joke, detached and indifferent.Not only did Dorian not l
Dorian rolled his eyes at the scene and impatiently pushed open the car door, stepping out to approach the Bugatti.He bent down and knocked on the window, "Dorothy, get out now."Luana, upon hearing Dorian's voice, froze for a moment before pushing away from Cline, who was still kissing her.Her breathing was slightly labored as she coldly instructed, "Open the door. My husband's here!"Cline's body stiffened. He averted his gaze from Luana and slowly looked at the man outside.Dorian, dressed in a gray suit, was impeccably neat. His handsome face and aristocratic demeanor made him look distinguished and aloof. Cline didn't care about Dorian's appearance, but he was annoyed that Dorian had called her Dorothy, not Luana.Cline swiftly fastened Luana's seatbelt and started the car, speeding out of the parking lot without another word.Dorian watched the Bugatti speed away, a look of frustration crossing his face.He muttered tha
Cline turned on the air conditioning, leaned sideways, and drew closer to Luana.His long, thick lashes lowered as he gazed at the petite Luana, his eyes revealing a longing he had never shown before."Luana..."He uttered her name as if it had taken all his strength.Luana opened her mouth to retort, but Cline suddenly gripped the back of her head with one hand, pressing her into his embrace.He whispered into her ear, "I... miss you so much."For three years, he had thought of her obsessively, to the point of madness, sleeplessness, and even hallucinations from medication.Now that he had found her alive and well, how could he let her go so easily?A flicker of disbelief crossed Luana's previously calm face, followed by a cold sneer in her heart.Would Cline truly miss her? He had never cared before. How could he miss her now?Was it because she was gone, and he couldn't find anyone to replace Runa, that he reme
For the past three years, his heart had felt hollow, a persistent ache that never truly subsided.Now, in this moment of holding Luana close, his restless heart finally found its resting place.To Cline, having someone he longed for still alive was like reclaiming what had been lost.He held Luana tightly, his throat constricting with emotion, unable to utter a word, wishing only to merge her into his very being and feel her presence undeniably.Luana, however, was perplexed by Cline's behavior.It was uncharacteristic of him—cold and distant at their airport encounter, avoiding even a glance, yet now he was uncharacteristically intimate.She wondered if the three years apart had taken a toll on his mental state.Frowning, she struggled to push him away, but Cline easily restrained her wrist with one hand.He spun her around, pinning her against the car door.Before she could speak, Cline captured her lips in a kis
Luana stood outside the door, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes as she contemplated Clarissa's changes over the years.Suddenly, the door creaked open from the inside.Angela, holding a child of about three years old, came into view.The little kid clutched a toy car, its round eyes wide with curiosity as it stared at Luana.Luana's gaze shifted between Angela and the child, a fleeting thought crossing her mind that Angela might be staying with Clarissa and Albert.Suppressing her doubts, she asked, "I'm a friend of Clarissa's. Is she home?"Angela froze, sizing up Luana from head to toe, unable to recognize the elegantly dressed woman with delicate makeup before her.It wasn't until Luana spoke that Angela's pupils contracted sharply, her face draining of color, her lips trembling as she stammered, "Y-y-y-o-u..."Then, as if she had seen a ghost, Angela retreated backward with the child, screaming at th
Dorian had just retrieved his suitcase from the baggage carousel when he spotted Luana approaching.He frowned slightly, his tone laced with displeasure, "Didn't I tell you to wait over there?"Luana rolled her eyes at him. "I was afraid you might grab the wrong luggage."With that, she slipped her phone into her small bag, took the suitcase from Dorian's hand, and began to wheel it away.Dorian, with his long legs, effortlessly kicked another large suitcase toward Luana. "This one's yours too," he said.Luana, though inwardly exasperated, shot a glare at Dorian's retreating figure and pushed both suitcases out of the airport behind him.Once outside, Luana handed the suitcase back to Dorian. "I'm going to meet a friend. Let's part ways here."Dorian tilted his head slightly, regarding her with an expression that seemed to question her intelligence. "You think I came all this way just to see you off?"Luana was speechless again
This meant he was giving her only one chance. If she refused, she would never be able to return home.Luana felt as if a heavy stone had settled in her heart, making it hard to breathe and preventing her from making a decision quickly.Dorian maintained his domineering posture, observing the shifting expressions on her face with a smug confidence, waiting leisurely for her response.Five minutes passed, and Luana took a deep breath before nodding. "Alright, I agree, but it's only a marriage in name."Dorian let out another faint sneer. "What else did you expect?"He picked up the diamond ring, nodded his chin, and gestured for Luana to extend her hand.Reluctantly, she stretched out her hand, and Dorian casually placed the ring on her right ring finger.After slipping the ring onto her finger, Dorian released her hand and looked into her eyes with his deep, dark gaze. "We go to the church tomorrow," he said.With that, he pocketed Dorothy's passport and turned to leave.Luana raised he